Washington -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- North Korea has completed the structures at a second missile launch site in the northwest part of the country , a U.S. official said Thursday .

The admission comes on the same day that new satellite imagery , taken by GeoEye on January 10 , was released showing a tower , a movable launch pad and swing arms , according to an analysis by Globalsecurity.org .

`` The facility comprises a rocket engine test stand , missile assembly and test buildings , a launch bunker and an observation tower , making it a more advanced facility than its other North Korean counterpart at Musudan-ri , '' according to a Globalsecurity.org description of the image .

But the official said it is not clear whether the technical components , the electronics , are in place that would allow for a launch from the site , which is near Tongchang-dong .

In either case , the official said , there is no indication that the North Koreans plan a test launch in the near term . The intelligence community has been closely watching the site for some time .

The official , who asked not to be named because the official was not authorized to speak on the issue , said the location of the facility allows North Korea to launch heavier payloads .

The Defense Department would not comment on the new picture .

`` We do n't comment on press reports regarding intelligence matters . However , we continue to call on North Korea to fulfill its international obligations ; cease provocative behaviors ; and take steps to improve relations with its neighbors , '' said Pentagon spokesman Col. Dave Lapan

The nation previously announced it was working on developing the capacity to launch a space satellite . This site would allow them to do so but , the official cautioned , the site could also be used to launch intercontinental ballistic missiles -LRB- ICBMS -RRB- which could pose a threat to the United States and other nations .

`` It 's a dual-use facility , '' said the official . `` The issue is intent . ''

The location of the facility also would allow North Korea to launch a payload at an angle that would avoid an flight over other nations .

The head of U.S. military operations in Asia said that while he is not aware of any signs from North Korea of a near term missile test , he anticipated that the next likely provocation from North Korea could be in months , not years , due to a succession push .

`` Due to the dynamics of North Korea with succession and the long history of this occurring , our concerns are that we 're in a period of compressed time line for Kim Jong Il to train Kim Jong Un in these , in these coercive measures , '' Adm. Robert Willard , commander of U.S. Pacific Command , said Thursday in a speech to the Asia Society . `` Their continued development , export , proliferation of weapons will remain a regional challenge and an international challenge likely for some time to come ... So this is a major concern of ours ... it should concern us all . ''

In April 2009 , North Korea attempted a test to launch what they said was a satellite into space from its other launch site near Musudan-ri , in the northeast . The missile flew over Japan before crashing into the sea . The launch was widely condemned .

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NEW : Satellite imagery is released showing a tower and movable launch pad

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It is not clear if the site is ready for a launch , the U.S. official says

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There is no indication a test launch is planned soon , the official says

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This facility would allow the launch of heavier payloads , the official adds